Abstract

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) plays a significant role in coronary atherosclerosis, independent of shared metabolic risk factors. The measurement of the controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) has shown to allow early and noninvasive detection of NAFLD at subclinical stage. We evaluated the significance of CAP-defined NAFLD in association with the presence of any type of coronary plaques and different plaque compositions.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort of apparently healthy subjects who had liver Fibroscan and coronary computed tomography during health screening exams.

Results

A greater number of subjects with CAP-defined NAFLD was found in group with coronary plaques (61.3% vs. 73.5%, p = 0.005 without vs. with any type of plaque). From multivariate regression model, CAP ≥ 222 dB/m was an independent and significant parameter associated with the presence of coronary plaques, after adjusting possible confounders (OR 1.624, 95% 1.047–2.518, p = 0.030). Interestingly, CAP ≥ 222 dB/m was significantly associated with non-calcified plaque (adjusted OR 3.528, 95% CI 1.463–8.511, p = 0.005), whereas it was not significant in calcified plaques (p = 0.171).

Conclusion

CAP-defined NAFLD is independently associated with coronary plaques, especially non-calcified plaques. The association between NAFLD and non-calcified plaques suggests that particular attention should be given to the subjects with NAFLD for primary prevention.

Notes

Acknowledgements

We thank Boram Park for her contribution to this work, especially with the statistical analysis of the study.

Author contributions

HEP conceived the idea, determined the study design, collected the data, drafted and revised the manuscript. HL collected the data, performed the statistical analysis and revised the manuscript. S-YC collected the data, performed the statistical analysis and revised the manuscript. M-SK determined the study design, collected the data and drafted the manuscript. JIY collected the data and revised the manuscript. JYY collected the data and revised the manuscript. GEC determined the study design, collected the data, performed the statistical analysis and drafted the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final draft of the manuscript.

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